Conducting Polymer Nanocomposites: Role of DNA Functionalized Carbon

Abstract:In this work, a water-soluble self-doped polyaniline nanocomposite was fabricated by in-situ polymerization of 3-aminophenylboronic acid monomers in the presence of single-stranded DNA dispersed- and functionalized- single-walled carbon nanotubes. For the first time, we found that carbon nanotubes can be used as active stabilizers by significantly improving the chemical stability of self-doped polyaniline against harsh UV irradiation. We applied a series of techniques to characterize the composites and study the electronic and molecular origins of these remarkable effects, which may be due to DNA functionalization of the single-walled carbon nanotubes. Because of their reductive ability, the polyaniline backbone is reduced from the unstable, degradable, and fully oxidized pernigraniline state to the more stable, conducting emeraldine state. Such stabilization effect is of academic interest and practical importance. Short lifetime has been a significant problem in chemical sensors, biosensors, and light emitting devices consisting of organic (polymer) materials. Incorporation of carbon nanotubes into such devices may help develop organic systems with longer life spans and thus commercial value.